Band:	Manowar
Album:	Louder Than Hell
Style:	Heavy metal, US power metal
Release date:	1996
Guest review by:	iaberis

01. Return Of The Warlord
02. Brothers Of Metal (Part One)
03. The Gods Made Heavy Metal
04. Courage
05. Number One
06. Outlaw
07. King
08. Today Is A Good Day To Die
09. My Spirit Lives On
10. The Power

"Louder Than Hell" is the return of the band from the studio again, after 1992. In my opinion this is one of their best albums. It may have the same usual sound and the same lyrical themes, but it's actually a very good piece?

On the front cover, we see this "macho" guy, who's breaking his chains by hitting his hand on the anvil! It's an image of what you're going to be listening to; pure Heavy Metal! The innovation that caught my attention when I opened the album for the first time was that the cover picture is actually a part of a poster! This poster is the booklet of the album and it consists from the band's mascot in the front and the lyrics in the back. A very good idea, which many other bands copied later? I could easily stick this fine work of art on the wall, but then the album would be left "naked" since the booklet is essential?

I always appreciate good album art, but let's have a look at the music now. Lyrically, the album has the same theme: war, honour and glory, but there are also some lyrics with digs to many people that "fought" the band these years. Sometimes referring to them as "enemies of metal" or as "those who stand against us". The band clearly says it's alive and still playing "true" music. Apart from that, most songs are good and you'll find something for every taste. There are the usual "Manowar" tracks, some more soft with piano and even a thrashier song called "Outlaw". The only bad thing about this album is that most songs sound alike and after some listening, you may find it boring. I don't question the composing ability of the band, but I do have the feeling they repeat themselves many times. In some songs, the rhythm is so alike, that I get the déjà vu feeling, like I've already heard the song?

The best thing on this album is probably the production. The sound is so clean and strong, that comparing to other releases of that time, it's years ahead. It doesn't sound like it was recorded more than twelve years ago, so it doesn't need to be remastered. There's nothing more to say about this album? if you like the "Manowar" style, you'll like this too. I could say it's an average piece from the band, with nothing innovative in the sound, just the same good music!